Take-up of electric cords



Oct. 10, 1950 E. Al PLEGATE TAKE-UP 0F ELECTRIC CORDS Original FiledNov. 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EARL APPLEGATZ' Inventor y Am.

' 2...snefts-sna1 2 EAM/APPLEGATE I E APPLEGATE I rum-u? or ELECTRIC0030s Original Filed N v. 12, 1946 fzj/I/II'I f/ l.

Oct. 10, 1950 Reissued Oct. 10, 1950 TAKE-UP 0F ELECTRIC CORDS EarlApplegate, Frankfort, Ind.

Original No. 2,474,566, dated June 28, 1949, Serial No. 709,324, filedNovember 12, 1946. Application for reissue filed November 3, 1949,Serial 1'7 Claims.

In operating portable electric equipment such as vacuum cleaners, forexample, the cord extending from the wall outlet to the equipment issomewhat of a nuisance. Usually the entire length of the cord is unwoundfrom the hooks by hand; and, since most of the length is needed only fora short time, the cord is frequently lying in the way of the equipment.When the operating of the equipment is finished, the cord must again bemanually wound upon the hooks.

Because of the foregoing considerations, there has long been-arecognized need for practical automatic cord winding apparatus suitablefor such purposes. The motor of the portable de- Matter enclosed inheavy brackets I: appears in the original patent but forms no part ofthis reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates theadditions made by reissue Fig. 2 is a plan view of the reel forming animportant part of the invention, taken approximately on the line 22 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the upper portion of thehandle of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 3'but showing amodified form. of the invention, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken approximately on the line66 of Fig. 4.

Although the law requires a full and exact description of at least oneform of the invention, such as that which follows, it is, of course, the

vice seems to be an appropriate source of power P11113056 Of a patent toC v a h new invenfor th i di ree1, t it is t practicm t tive concepttherein no matter how it may later couple the winding reel directly tothe motor be disguised y va s in fOl'In 0r adGitiODS because of the highspeed of the motor. Speedfurther improvements; d t pp ded reducinggearing would make it difiicult to pull claims are intended toaccomplish this pu p s the cord out from the reel. It has not been 20 byparticularly P ing out the p p practical t provide a d i through lippingments, or combinations in which the inventive friction clutch becausethe constant friction beconcepts are dtween the high speed motor and thl speed In both forms of the invention chosen for illusor stationaryreel would soon wear out any com- 05 tration the invention has beenillustrated in conmercially reasonable friction clutch.

According to the present invention, this difiiculty is overcome by usinga drive through a magnetic-electric device, including magnets and aninduction disk or through a fluid drive.

This alone does not always solve the problem,

however, because suchdrive must be able to supply suflicient torque towind the cord on the reel, and this amount of torque, necessarily beingaccompanied by an equal drag on the motor represents a pow-er loss whichis sometimes highly undesirable in view of the high speed of the motor.

Accordingly, this problem in turn is solved by arranging the drive sothat it may be readily rendered effective or ineffective so that thepower junction with a vacuum cleaner including a main housing IIoperating on wheels I2. A motor I3 carried by the housing I I drives ashaft It which carries an impeller diagrammatically illustrated at I6and which may also drive a brush IT. A reel I8 is rotatably associatedwith the motor I3 and, according to thepresent invention, is driventhereby at will to wind the electric cord IE] on the reel. Theconnection from the cord I9 to the winding of the motor It may be madethrough two or more collector rings 2|, each of which may be engaged bya suitable brush 22. A motor control switch 23 is also connected in thecircuit between the brushes 22 and the winding of motor I3, the switch23 preferably being located near the upper end of the handle 24.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the reel I8 is rotatablycarried by the upper end of shaft It, a suitable ballbearing unit 2 5being provided between the reel and the shaft M. An inherent advantageof mounting the reel on the shaft is that any slight torque transmittedthrough the bearing 26 is in a direction to aid winding the cord; Henceany deterioration of thebearing will not oppose the torque exerted bythe magnets and keep them from winding the reel. The reel may also berun on or be stabilized by ballbearing units 21 preferably arranged inan inclined position substantially as shown in Fig. 1. It will beunderstood that, although the shaft |4 rotates at high speed, the

reel I8 rotates only at very low speed, so that bearings 21 areadequate.

An induction disc 3! is carried-and rotated by shaft I4. This disc maybe made of any suitable conductive material, but aluminum is preferredfor lightness. Incidentally, it may be much thinner than has been shown.The reel I8 carries one or more electromagnets 32, preferably inbalanced relationship, each magnet having a pair of poles adjacent tothe induction disc 3| so that the disc rotates in the field of themagnets, when the magnets are energized.

When the magnets 32 are energized, their magnetism will produce arelative drag between the magnetic disc 3I and themselves, so that therotation of the disc 3I will tend to rotate the reel I8. The strength ofthe magnets and the related factors can be such as to apply any desiredrotational torque or force to the reel I8. Preferably this torque isjust enough to wind up the cord with perhaps aslight marginal reserve.It is not necessary, however, that the torque be sufficient to. drag thefull length of cord across the floor in winding it up but only that itbe enough to wind the cord up as the vacuum cleaner is moved toward thecord. However, if it is found desirable to have a greater excess oftorque, that can be provided.

In view of the high speed of the disc 3I and in view of the small torquewhich'is believed to be sufficient, the electromagnet 32 can probably beextremely weak. It may be made moreefficient byproviding soft ironarmatures 34 beyond the disc, opposite the poles of the magnets 32.Although the magnets could be designed to be connected across the 110volt supply wires, it i at present preferred that they have much smallercoils than this would suggest. For example, they might be'operated froma small voltage such as may be obtained by a transformer, the winding ofthe motor or part thereof perhaps serving as a primary winding of thetransformer. If the vacuum cleaner is provided with a lamp, the magnets32 may be connected in series with the lamp, or other resistance couldbe used. It is probable that the coils of magnets 32 may be comprisedmerely of one or two turns connected in series with the motor I3, thoughas many turns may be used as found necessary.

Control If the torque necessary to wind the cord I9 on the reel ismaintained at all times, this would 7 mean that at all times there wouldbe a drag of that amount of torque between the induction disc 3| and themagnets 32.

For the motor to drive the induction disc 3| at high speed against thisdrag torque would require a substantial output of power in spite of thevery low torque required. Perhaps the motor would have to be twice aspowerful as conventional motors to supply the power required to rotatethe impeller I6 and, at the same time, supply the power required torotate the induction disc 3| against the drag torque. According to thepresent invention, this problem has been recognized and, in fact, partof the invention is in the choice of driving means which makecontrolling the drag torque possible so that it will be present onlywhen winding the reel is desired. I

The electromagnets 32 probably provide the simplest possible method ofcontrolling the torque. If all of the magnetic metal in and associatedwith them is of a very soft non-retentive iron, they will exertvirtually no drag on the disc when dc-energized. .Yet, they may be en-'ergized and de-energized simply by switch control. Preferably, theircontrol circuit extends through a push button type of switch 36 mountedwhere it may readily be pressed by the thumb of the operator withoutmoving the hand from the gripping position on the handle 24. The switch36 may be normally open or normally closed, depending on the circuitused. Thus, if the magnets 32 are'in series with the winding of motorI3, the switch 36 will normally close a shunt across magnets 32 so thatthey will be deenergized, this shunt being opened, to energize magnets32, by pressing push button 31. The same might be true if the magnets 32are in series with a lamp. On the other hand, if the magnets 32 areacross the volt circuit or in an independent low voltage circuit, theswitch 36 would be normally opened and would be closed by pressing thepush button 31.

Although only two collector rings 2| are required for connecting thecord I9 to the motor I3, three have been shown in Fig. 1 since a thirdis required for any type of circuit controlling the magnets 32, Y

In order that the, torque required will be as low as possible, it ispreferred that the cord I3 be drawn in through an opening bordered byrollers 38. Better still would be the provision of three or four tinyrolling bearing units, such as the units 21., So that a minimum of reelspace will be sufficient, it is preferred that the cord I9 be of theslim type now common. Even if these would not be regarded as capable ofwithstanding sufiiciently low service conditions on present vacuumcleaners, it is believed that they will prove adequate when used withthe present invention because their life will be preserved by theexcellent care taken of them, as a'result of the fact that they can beso easily kept wound on-the reel I8 except for the portion in use. Itwill be understood that reels of other shapes than that shown could beused, perhaps a deeper and narrower reel. Also, if a wide reel is used,as illustrated, a level winding device could be used with it although itis believed to be easy to provide enough room so that this is notnecessary.

Fluid drive type The form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 is quitesimilar to that of Fig. 1 except that a fluid drive unit M is used inplace of an inductomagnetic drive. In this instance, a fluid drivecasing 42 is fast on motor shaft I4, so that the casing rotates with theshaft. The reel I8 is, accordingly, rotatably carried by the upperhalfof housing 42 by means of a roller bearing unit 43. Again the skirt ofthe reel I8 may be guided by ballbearing units 21 although, in thisinstance, they have been shown carried by the reel I8. Also, the showinghas been simplified by showing them horizontally disposed althoughprobably the inclined disposition of Fig. 1 would be preferred.

To drive the reel III, the motor is provided with an axially shiftableshaft 44 splined to the reel I8. The shaft 44 carries a driven disc orrotor 46 fast thereon which forms the driven rotor of a fluid drivev orclutch, the driving rotor of which is formed by the lower half of casing42 which is preferably provided with fins 48. The rotor 46 is alsopreferably provided with fins.

The casing 42 is filled with oil so that with the parts in the positionshown in Fig. 4 thefins 48 direct the oil against the fins of the upperrotor 45, thus driving the upper rotor and through it driving the reell8. Inasmuch as the torque required is not large, the fluid drive device4 l of a size suggested by Fig. 4 is believed to be adequate. It couldbe larger, if desired, but it is quite possible that a still smallersize will be found to .produce enough torque, in view of the high speedof fins 48.

To relieve the motor l3 of the drag torque represented by the drivingforce transmitted by fluid unit 4 l it is desired that means be providedfor raising and lowering the rotor 46 at will. A very small spacing isenough to almost com pletely remove the drag of this device.

In the illustrated form of control seen in Fig. 4, a spring 49 pressedbetween the reel IS- and a split washer 55 urges the shaft M upwardly,the washer 55 engaging an annular groove in the shaft 44. This normallyraises the rotor or disc 46 far enough above the fins 48 so thatsubstantially no drive is transmitted. When drive is desired, the handlever 52 of Fig. 5.is operated to draw wire 53 which, as seen injFig. 4,swings crank lever 54 counterclockwise. As seen in Fig. 6, lever 5 -2 isprovided with pins 55 to which the split washer 55 may be secured.Accordingly, squeezing the lever E52 presses the split washer 55downwardly and lowers the upper rotor 45 close enough to the fins 18 soas to be driven by the liquid rotated thereby.

It Will be observed that the drive ll and the inducto-magnetic drive ofFig. 1 have in common the fact that they permit slippage between thehigh speed rotor and the substantially stationary reel, the slippagebeing of a type which is non-rubbing. Thi is important for economy andlong life and avoids danger of rapid deterioration if the operatornegligently holds the control in the activated position for a long time.However, it should be mentioned that a rubbing type of slippage clutchdriven and controlled substantially as in Fig. 4 is probably within thebroader aspects of the invention, if the invention is as broadly new asis now believed.

It is also noted that the controls shown could be used, or some similarthereto could be used, if the reel were mounted directly on the outerportion or field of the motor l3, this portion being rotatably carriedso that it could move by reaction in driving the rotor of the motor.During normal operation of the device, such as the vacuum cleaner, thereaction might be too low to wind the cord on the reel, in which event,the reaction could be increased by applying a drag to the rotor, suchdrag perhaps being the induco-inagnetic type of drag of Fig. 1 or thefluid type of drag of Fig. 4 of a frictional type of drag.

There will usually be a small length of cord still extending from thevacuum cleaner housing when the plug pulled out of the wall outlet. Thismay be fastened to the handle by a suitable clip on the handle ifdesired. It may be preferred to extend the shaft carrying the reelthrough the housing and provide it with a small knob which may be turnedmanuall to draw in the last bit of cord.

From the foregoing it is seen that a cord takeup apparatus has beenprovided which is suitable for use on vacuum or other portable electricdevices and which will wind the cord up whenever influenced to do so bya touch on the 6 control adjacent the operating handle of the device.

I claim:

1. A portable electric device (including a portable housing and anelectric motor with a shaft carried by the housing), and cord windingapparatus including a reel rotatably carried by the motor with its axisextending in axial alignment with the motor shaft, a drive device including driven and drive elements, respectively, associated with thereel and motor for transmitting drive from the motor to the reel, saiddrive device being of a type which while driving the reel permits asubstantially non-rubbing type of slippage between the motor and thereel, and the drive element being driven at full motor speed and thedriven element being slip-driven thereby with such non-rubbing slippagethat while its speed is a small fraction of the speed of the driveelements, the torque developed is not more than slightly in excess ofenough to barely wind the cord while loose.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means to render the drive deviceeffective and substantially ineffective selectively.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the drive device is ofthe electro-magnetic induction type.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive device includeselectromagnet means and an induction member magneto-inductively coupledtherewith, and including switch means for selectively energizing ordeenergizing the electromagnet.

'5'. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive device is fluidcoupled.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive device comprises fluidcoupled drive and driven members, and means for shifting one of saidmembers to effectuate the drive means or render it ineffective at will.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the reel is carried at least inpart by a bearing on said shaft.

8. A portable electric device including a wheelcarried motor with arotatable motor shait'for driving a working element with direct drive atmotor speed, and cord winding apparatus including a reel rotatablycarried by the motor with its axis extending in axial alignment with themotor shaft, a drive device including driven and drive elements,respectively, associated with the reel and motor for transmitting drivefrom the motor to the reel, said drive device being of a type whichwhile driving the reel permits a substantially non-rubbing type ofslippage between the motor and the reel, and the drive element beingdriven at full motor speed and the driven element being slip-driventhereby with such non-rubbing slippage that while its speed is a smallfraction of the speed of the drive elements, the torque developed is notmore than slightly in excess of enough to barely wind the cord whileloose.

9. A portable electric device including a wheelcarried motor with arotatable motor shaft for driving a working element forming part of thedevice and assisting in the performance of the primary work: of thedevice, and cord winding apparatus including a reel rotatably carried bythe device, a drive device including driven and drive elements,respectively, associated with the reel and driven by the motor fortransmitting drive from the motor to the reel, said drive device beingof a type which while driving the reel permits a substantiallynon-rubbing type of slippage between the drive element and the reel, andthe drive element being driven with a peripheral speed at least equal tothe peripheral speed of the motor shaft and the driven element beingslip-driven thereby with such non-rubbing slippage that while its speedis a small fraction of the speed of the drive elements, the torquedeveloped is not more than slightly in excess of enough to barely windthe cord while ioose.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the drive device includes magnetmeans and an induction member, one of which is mounted on a rotatingshaft forming part of the appliance drive, and

the other of which is coaxial therewith and rotated inductively thereby.

11 The apparatus of claim 10 in which the reel is carried at least inpart by a bearing on said last named rotating shaft.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the drive device is of themagnetic induction type.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 including means to render the drive deviceeffective and substantially ineffective selectively.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the drive device includeselectromagnet means and an induction member magneto-inductively coupledtherewith, and including switch means for selectively energizing ordeenergizing the electromagnet.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the drive device is fluid coupled.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the drive device comprises fluidcoupled drive and driven members, and means for shifting one of saidmembers to efiectuate the drive means or render it ineffective at will.

17. A portable electric device including a wheel-carried motor with arotatable motor shaft for driving a working element forming part .of thedevice and assisting in the performance of the primary work of thedevice, and cord winding apparatus including a reel rotatably carried bythe device, a-drive device including driven and drive elements,respectively, associated with the reel and driven by the motor fortransmitting drive from the motor to the reel, said drive device beingof a type which while driving the reel permits a substantiallynon-rubbing type of slippage between the drive element and the reel, andthe drive element being driven at a high speed and the driven elementbeing slip-driven thereby with such non-rubbing slippage that while itis stationary the torque developed is not more than slightly in excessof enough to barely wind the cord whiTe loose.

' EARL APPLEGATE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent or the original patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,862,267 Honig June 7, 19321,921,288 Farmer et a1 Aug. 8, 1933 1,978,082 Harwood et a1 Oct. 23,1934 2,002,629 Cobb et a1 May 28, 1935 2,254,221 Hubbard Sept. 2, 19412,365,691 Fodor Dec. 26, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date189,905 Great Britain Dec. 14, 1922

